In a new case, Hub Construction Specialties, Inc. v. Esperanza Charities, Inc. (filed February 8, 2016, Second District, Div. Eight) 2016 S.O.S. 787, the Court held that under the prior mechanic's lien code (Former Civ. Code, § 3097.1, subd. (a); Stats. 2010, ch. 697, § 16 [repealed].) strict compliance with proof of service provisions was not required when there was evidence that there had been strict compliance with the provisions regarding service of notice.

Last year the California legislature passed and the governor approved a large number of new bills which will impact the construction industry. The remainder of this article sets forth a brief summary of a number of the new California construction industry related laws.

California Senate Bill 467 (Hill) which was signed by the Governor on October 8, 2015 amended Section 7071.6 of the Business and Professions Code effective January 1, 2016. This amendment increases the California contractor's bond requirement for the issuance, reinstatement, reactivation, renewal, or continued maintenance of a California Contractors license. As of January 1, 2016, the amount of the contractor's bond which is a required condition precedent for licensure will be increased from $12,500 to $15,000. The Contractors State License Board states that a contractor's bond or cash deposit received at CSLB after December 31, 2015 must be in the new required amount of $15,000. Any contractor's bond or cash deposit of $12,500 received after December 31, 2015 will not be processed. If you are being issued a license or your license is up for reinstatement, reactivation or renewal, you should contact your bonding agent to ensure that your bond complies with the new $15,000 requirement. This amendment does not change the aggregate liability limit of $7,500 on any claims brought against a license bond.

On behalf of Last & Faoro posted in Judgment on Tuesday, September 1, 2015.

A new case, Pacific Caisson & Shoring, Inc. v. Bernards Bros., Inc. (2015) 236 Cal.App.4th 1246 held that a contractor, whose license was suspended for failing to notify the California Contractors State License Board ("CSLB") of a judgment against it, was not entitled to recover for compensation owed to it, under the substantial compliance exception found in California Business & Professions Code §7031(e).

On behalf of Last & Faoro posted in Public Works on Friday, June 5, 2015.

Contractors who have entered into lease leaseback arrangements with local school districts need to review their agreements in light of the California Fifth District Court of Appeals recent ruling in Davis v. Fresno Unified School District which was decided on June 1, 2015.

The Hegels had a homeowner's insurance policy with First Liberty for their Spring Hills, Florida residence. That policy insured against "Sinkhole Loss" as an exception to the policy's exclusion for damage caused by earth movement. Under the policy, "Sinkhole Loss means structural damage to the building, including the foundation, caused by sinkhole activity. The policy, however, did not define the term "structural damage."

As a result of the passage of Senate Bill (SB) 854, significant changes were made to Cal. Labor Code §1771.1 and §1725.5. All licensed contracts who work on or intend to work on public works projects must be registered with the California Department of Industrial Relations. Beginning March 1, 2015, all contractors were required to register with Department of Industrial Relations in order to bid on public works projects or be listed in a bid proposal. As of April 1, 2015, only contractors who have registered with the Department of Industrial Relations will be eligible to be awarded a public works contract, even if the project did not go out to bid.

Cal/OSHA will focus on safety compliance at construction sites in the San Francisco Bay Area following a number of recent accidents. Inspectors have been deployed to inspect construction sites to determine whether adequate measures have been taken to identify safety hazards and prevent injury.

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